Second-half goals pave way for Stradbally

Ballinacourty’s hopes of retaining their Waterford SFC title were ended by arch rivals Stradbally (2-12 to 0-12) in Saturday’s exciting semi-final at Fraher Field, Dungarvan.

Despite dominating the first half, Ballinacourty failed to make their possession show on the scoreboard, missing three glorious goal chances and trailing 0-6 to 0-5 at the interval

They were made to pay for their poor finishing when Shane Lannon set up Shane Ahearne for a superb Stradbally goal within two minutes of the restart and thereafter it was an uphill battle for the champions.

Niall Curran’s superb second goal in the 58th minute sealed victory for Stradbally who face either The Nire or Clashmore in the decider.

The Nire booked their passage into the penultimate round with a hard earned 1-8 to 0-9 victory over Kilrossanty in a Fraher Field replay that never matched the excitement of the drawn tie.

The opening half, at the end of which The Nire led 0-5 to 0-3, was a poor spectacle and the dismissal of Kilrossanty defender Michael Kirwan for a second yellow card offence proved a turning point.

Kilrossanty battled valiantly on the turnover, but the decisive score came in the 45th minute when Shane Ryan fisted the game’s only goal.

The Nire will now meet Clashmore in the semi-final at the same venue on Saturday.